Winds may howl,
Wild animals growl,
The forest grows cold,
For I am lonesome and old
As the sun peaks through the clouds,
I hear your soft, young voice so loud!
And though you speak dead man's lines,
You speak them with majesty divine
As I am wrapped in my woe,
I only want you to know...
...that roses die black and violets lose blue,
But I will never die
And you know I love you!

Image if one will, a field where paper roses grow,
Each color an emotion, it's variations symbolic to
Feeling felt, and yet expressed.
Compositions of love letters, shaped into delicate
Blossoms, growing or dieing within the fragile human
Heart.
A unique species of floral design, enchanting the
Raw essences of it's creator, with a mystical fragrance
All it's own.
Passions spice crimson red, romantic sensuality
A white splicing with reds undertow.
Blues calming peaceful shades of hew,
and a navy's hardened edge exposing devotions
Everlasting love in beauty's open petals of the divine.
A golden sunflower opens wide, a visions friendship flower,
Seeds cast to the fertile soil beneath the kindred of humanity.
Compassion's evergreen bouquet,
So many multitudes of description,
It is impossible to describe all,
For change is the one constant rhythm
Of life itself.
Death's black rose, a crumbling love letter that melts away,
A disintegration of thoughts emotion unto the river of dust.
Not completely forgotten,
Living only by memory's remembrances,
Of past echoes,
Left alive in shadows contrasting shades faded by time.
Fragile is the human heart, made of crystal glass,
Shattering easily to the touch, if handled to roughly.
But even more delicate are the emotions held within,
A prism of reflections.
It's light leads to the inner garden of the spiritual soul,
Where the paper roses do grow.
Imaginations field of wonders, thoughts glorious
Bouquet of possibilities to draw from.
A limitless expressive well, for the poet's ink pen,
Lightly dripped onto the empty page of white,
To write upon, vivid are these roses to the poetic heart.
BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN

Winter's Rose
white frost streaks her hair
smooth ice-sculpture skin of youth
stroked by cracks
wrinkles that have weathered life
skin once firmly packed sags
in the mirror a figure she doesn’t recognize
but she laughs
budding spring beauty
summer rose that danced through seemingly timeless evenings
restless rebellion came with fall
withering, yearning
but winter, sweet winter
fills her heart with warm memories
resignation, acceptance of a life well-lived
a spirit that will never die
winter’s rose smiles, prepares for eternal life
*Entry for Gail's "Inspirational" poems contest
by Carolyn Devonshire
I can't believe the wonderful contest idea I have been missing out on since I took my brief break from Soup this past weekend. I came back to find many posts of Carolyn Devonshire's most amazing work. And so it was my goal tonight before logging off, to look through my list of favorites and see which one I would choose to showcase.
Well, there were at least five of her poems that I just loved: "A Forgotten Box," the senryu set "Candlelight Passion," an adorable personification of flowers called "Flower Prom," the profound poem of imagination called "Unicorn," and last but not least, the one shown above here, "Winter's Rose." I decided on this one because earlier today in talking with Carolyn, she expressed to me that "Winter's Rose" happened to be one of her personal favorites. I was so pleased to discover that it was also one I had chosen to put into MY favorites list about a month ago!
"Winter's Rose" is a poet's look into her own soul. And she uses metaphors of the seasons, something I personally enjoy doing in my own poetry. I love when Carolyn writes this way and I agree with her, this is one of her very best free verse poems ever! I hope Carolyn will continue with her restless spirit well into the deepest of winters. She is an awesome friend and poet! (Carolyn, may your memories be happy ones always. And know that you have many friends here rooting for you. Luv, Andrea )

Mary Rose, the mighty sailing sea vessel glided majestically across the waves
She had robustly and bravely sailed the briny waves for many a night and day
With the ocean's heaving gusting squalls blowing off proud stern and mast
Sailing victorious and proud - her billowing white sails were cast
The calm, liquid waters of the sea flowed quietly purple for now-
Unaware of the coming storm that would beat furious against her bow
Her alabaster sails whipped violent and furious in the oncoming storm
Impending doom was yelling its cries while the seamen went unwarned
Down below, inside their cabins the seamen peacefully slept
Wrapped in the secure watch that their gallant captain kept
The oceans black, boiling waves beat savage against starboard and port
As Captain Noe standing fearless - at first quake, did not the storm report
The old wooden beams of the Mary Rose began to restlessly moan and creak
While the blackened roaring, rolling waves beat furious against her feet
Her alabaster sails rose proud- beating mighty against wailing squalls and gusts
While deep inside the bow in bunks, the sleeping seamen thrust
Suddenly...they heard the captain's distraught voice cry out
When the seamen heard his voice -they heard fear without doubt
“Awake, all of ye’ ”, Captain Noe forcefully roared
“Alive! Awake… all ye’ seaman come quickly up on board”!
The savage spirit of the sea reigned fierce with rage and fear
While the brave captain fought - loyal seaman brought up the rear
They courageously fought together - not silenced by the eye of death
As the sea raged violently against them with its brutal, menacing breath
To save their mighty Mary Rose, they’d dip their very souls in blood
Leaving themselves merciless against this drunken, mighty flood
With plank and bow standing fierce between them and their fate
The raging ocean’s fierce, blackened waves - the sea they could not hate
The morning brought the warming sun which rose broad above the waves
The winds had tamed their violent voice against captain and seaman brave
With unshakable courage and seaman’s wit not once were spirits broke
Each cheered his mate and captain strong as they fought with steady stroke
Their peril fought in days of danger and night filled with pain
Their manly courage did not wane - their fight was not in vain
For all the courageous seamen and their brave Captain Noe
Joined together in hand and spirit to save...their proud Mary Rose

Victorian white lace, ivory fair of face,
Lips as red, the rose bud does grow, and is
Cut's deeply by it's own thorns.
Graceful maiden, beauties sheer elegance,
Of olden years past, weep ye no more.
Within the golden looking glass, she dances,
To a yearling's lullaby forgotten.
A lone figure in a solitary waltz, gliding,
Stepping ever so lightly, no sound is made,
Except for the beating of ones own heart.
A ghostly image, held hostage in time,
Frozen within a glass prison of pain,
Is this the lady of white.
Clouds of powder, set against a blue hued,
Sky above, is heaven so far away, to her touch.
A faded Porcelain doll, is she with eyes
Devoid of life, yet alive.
Hands do smack against the glass, but it is
A jail cell, the intent purpose, to hold
Hostage, what remains within.
This door barred shut, has no key, or release,
Time's measurement, lies in rhythm, a ticking
Clock set, on perpetual motion.
Sorrow's tears melt into nothingness, her
Spirit bound to linger in a hollow image,
Emotions haunting loveliness, a broken
Soul of despair.
Will no guardian angel, wrap her beneath
Their wings of pity's warmth, nay even justices
Avenging, shall not dare to enter within.
Shattered crystal shards, burst forth, and memory
Fades to blackness, a white sheet covers the mirror,
And no light is shone, in this world of illusion.
Victorian white lace, ivory fare of face,
Lips as red, as the rose bud that grows,
And is cut deeply by it's own thorns.
Petals plucked by the forlorn, lead some
Down a path that should not be traveled,
Beware the lonely heart, follow nay the
Sweet voices echoing within the nights
Darkness.

May we always address dis-complacency, the vacancy,
And remove all opposes, to our roses,............................................................(Acts 18:4-6)
Here at Poetry Soup, completing love’s 100% loop, in our soup,
For an authentic rose, from God it grows, always knows,
It’s own heart, from which it grows,
For authenticity’s, dis-complacency
Displaces a rose, from which it grows, then only heaven knows,
A rose, from which it grows,
Then it tis the mind’s dis-complacency, from it’s own heart,
Then does it’s part, hid from it’s own heart,
Redresses the rose, then rose begin an oppose,
To it’s heart, from which it grows,......................................(II Thes.2:3-5) Ego mind persona
A displaced rose, is still a rose,
By it’s own authenticity, it still grows,
As the heart, still does it’s part, from the very start,
For it tis the mind, lost in it’s wilderness time, must realign,
With beginning of time, love of heart’s kind,
For it tis, redressing of mind, with heart’s beginning of time,
That undresses the rose, from it’s dress of the oppose,..........................(II Timothy 2:24-25)
For a rose, is still a rose, from whence it grows,
Not death’s oppose,
Like a tree, grows from inside itself, you see,
From an higher intelligence, to be,
That being, from it’s own heart, it’s love of start,
Like a dog, is a dog, not a hog,
Tis it’s central intelligent being, does it’s seeing,
Not it’s bureaucracy of fleas, hidden in it’s leaves,
Nor living in the hairs of your scalp,- Yeeeeeap!
Taking their ease, if you please,
As a nation, we have bureaucratic fleas, living in our leaves,
The fleas are in control, should a flea be so bold,
To tell the truth, tis growing old,
Should a parasite raise our taxes, should the parasites waxes us,
In our town hall meetings, try to ignore our pleadings,
And begin their elite minded proceedings,
By saying we are criminals, and it they are the emeralds,
Tis our freedom of speech, being bleached, under siege,
Should not even a dog own his own fleas, guys pleeeeease!
Our government is not a party to our rose,
They are opposed, to our rose, the fleas that grows,
From the power of our rose,
In our leaves, if you please,
A parasite, out of sight, must take flight,
Tis their complexity, the hex, no flex, too complex,
Will bring our nation to it’s knees, so please,
Use your voice, of choice,
Our fleas have become to numerous, to humor us,
Not a plus, but like a rust,
Our fleas in charge of us!!
9-20-09 johnmosesfreeman@yahoo.com

your velvety blossoms
slowly withers away
once tender roots
have now decayed
at the thought i cringe
such insidious disease
gradually infects
each and every leaf
moldy black spots
crinkled stained edges
your magnificent growth
gradually suppresses
your unsurpassed beauty
now fuzzed up and gray
crinkled debilated stems
a dull distorted array
shoots barely opened
leaves now curled and bent
such unforgettable moment
your petals soon descend
your spicy scent has drifted
such sickly brittle vein
Flowers now discolored
and left to thrive on pain
after months of nurturing
your once marvelous display
the thought of you slowly wilting
has left me in dismay
*My theme is taken from Constance's Poem "in Memory of a rose"*

A soul weeps in flesh for the pain I left behind.
I am sorry for the pain,the tears, I left for you to bear.
These healing words I send with a bumble bee to heal a bleeding rose.
These napkin like words I pray can wipe your tears and snotty nose.
I was young and naive,I cherished my pride instead of your heart .
There the coldest winter did start.
If it makes you happy I disposed of the mistress.
Who faded in long lost memory of shadowed kisses.
No,no,no I am sorry for writing that,
its a poets bold habit of honesty,
but in writing this I thought i should be honest and honest I shall be.I apologize for leaving your emotions suppressed,unknown and ostracized.
Yes, I know the ocean swollen with your tears,the angels descended on a bloody battle field to hear your cry.I hope you can summons them again and reconsider the report to the almighty farther.
If I could write this apology in the eye of the sky I would,for my remorse to be seen , a once foolish human being .Your heart I didn't mean to decay. I apologize for the lies, cries,for making you eat sadly all those ice creams and soggy apple pies,from absorbing tears fallen from yours eyes. Left to wonder in the vastness of the universe alone. I am sorry also sorry for the smudged ink and some of the lines. I cried along with them, imaging your painful times.
Yours truly Elliott Bowe
To:Simone Descartes

Someone special sent me a rose today
Each rose was a word that touched me in many ways
It told me a story that showed me the most beautiful scene
Of faces of beauty and places i have never been
The words were whispers that called to me
And for that moment from my sorrows i was free
Each rose that fell told me that all beauty comes and goes
But to never forget their is always a new bloom of a rose
For if all this beauty can only be placed in your mind
You have not let all your true inner beauty shine
So to this special someone i thank you so much
For this rose you sent me my heart it truly touched

My savior was born a man,
He came from heaven, but a man is what he became.
Ordinary, fallen, vulnerable, weak, and confused.
He became all of this and more,
For he knew that only in the form of a servant,
Could he save the lost, and set the captives free.
But there came a time,
I tell you, there came a time,
When he rose up and claimed his former self,
And knew his nature,
I am that I am, He said.
I am that I am.
I was born a boy.
Ordinary, fallen, vulnerable, weak, and confused.
Almost worthy of the condemnation that this world has shamed upon me and
mine,
Almost worthy of the epistemological inferiority, that the world complexly imputes
to me,
I was born a boy,
Full of rage and anger, when they called me “boy” out of their own confusion.
But I came to a man, who is a God, but was a man,
And said, “Lord transform me, my God, transform me into what you will for me to
be”
And he showed me pain.
And he showed me sorrow.
But there came a time,
When I rose up, and claimed the impossible,
To be a child and man simultaneously,
I was born a boy,
But I came to a man, who is a God, but was a man,
And said, “Lord transform me, my God, transform me into what you will for me to
be”
And he showed me pain.
And he showed me sorrow.
But there came a time,
When I rose up, and claimed the impossible,
To be a child and man simultaneously,
And now I can look American hypocrisy in the face, and say “God Bless You”
And now I can look klu Klux klan firemen in the eye and say I love you.
Black, beautiful, strong, fearless, and resolute to endure,
Black, beautiful, strong, fearless, and resolute to right this world’s wrong and still
retain my childlike disposition.
I am a man, I tell you.
And that is more than enough!
For once I strived to rise above, but now I seek to rise in love.
For once I strived to get revenge, but now I seek that hatred end.
And men and boys and women to, would claim the light of victory.
Not because of me, I see, but because of a man, who was a God.
And became fallen, vulnerable, weak, and feeble,
As I felt in a time of trial,
Not because of me, I see, but because of a man, who claimed his former self
and rose to set me free.
And now, I am true.
Not perfect but a man nonetheless.
I was born a boy,
But I reached to the sky, and said, “God help me”
And now, I AM THAT I AM, I AM MAN!

Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Its fragrant silken form
I hold in my mind
A memory or thought
Of each tender moment
I have graciously shared with you
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Releasing its natural beauty
To an awe-inspired world
I hold in my heart
A love that grows evermore deeply
Despite thinking I’ve given my all
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Till it blooms in radiant glory
I give you everything I am
Protect you and cherish you
Knowing I am the luckiest
Most blessed person in the world
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
After which blooms wither and fall away
I remember how much you
Need to know daily you’re cherished
By someone who loves you more
Than words can ever express
You are as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
My love my life my future

I sat in the park
On a dark Autumn day
The rustle of leaves
Natures death bouquet
They swirled and spun
Around my park bench
What i witnessed next
Made my cold hands clench
Where the leaves dispersed
An angel appeared
Tattooed dressed in black
My life for i feared
On approach to me
My heart raced
A black angel
To me face to face
As i await my fate
She sees what i hold
There's a sadness in her
As tears start to unfold
She has spotted the red rose
I bought for my girl
As all around
The park started to swirl
Leaves flew
In sporadic directions
Tree's cried
Like hurtful infection
The sky darkened
As thunder rolled
One lightening flash
And lo and behold
As i raised my head
She was smelling the rose
Her feathers of black
In outward pose
Staring, watching
Trying to believe what I'm seeing
A black angel in the park
With a entranced human being
The clouds dispersed
Just as soon as they came
The tree's stood silent
And the leaves did the same
Her hands clasped
To her breast they close
This black angel cries
Tamed by a red rose
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/fantasy4.php

Deep in forests of green,
beneath majestic timbers,
in soft woody light
wild roses are to be seen
Achingly beautiful,
wild roses
The colour
as I imagined
The wild rose,
wends its' way
through the green
The colour
The purpose
All knows
All can be seen
For where there are shadows
A wild rose will burst free
For it knows,
knows it is part of me
Petals of velvet
Fragrant scent
The place we met
My heart
All it meant
A wild rose,
deep in forests of green
Shadows cannot mask
The beauty I have seen

I was just trying to remember the past
trying to remember the good people
and the bad people,
that i came across on my way,
i want you to know
that you are among the good people
that left a good trace in my life,
once again i just want to say thank you
for passing through my life,
is so short but is wonderful
i want you here forever.

The rose knows not which way to go
What to see, where to see and how.
It knows not who to love, so loves all.
Scared of change, so changes soon.
To appreciate someone’s gratitude,
Dark Pink roses will go a long way.
To show admiration and sympathy,
Light Pink roses, the best to convey.
To promote the new relationship,
Orange roses will serve to captivate
If you succeed to attract that person,
Offer one red rose for love at first sight.
And if you think you have met the right one,
Offer two red roses to strengthen it.
Hey, Hey, go for the three red roses,
To cement for the everlasting love.
But remember lovely is the flower rose
Despite the thorns that prick just as life
That too have thorns that stick
But pick it up, get hurt but also gain.

waiting throughout winter for
your beauty to appear
seemingly forever since your
presence mingled here
amongst the frozen tundra
having melted all the snow
summers warmth attracts you
and your beauty starts to grow
at last a new beginning
from this frozen earth a pose
introducing summers rebirth
at last the precious rose...

My brother is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I still remember that day

His Human Heart
He laid red rose upon white casket
Tears were hidden behind dark glasses
People are such righteous asses
This question I just had to ask it
A wounded heart will not outlast it
This human life quickly passes
This human dream was love’s excess
Why was his love so very wrong?
Gender doesn’t really matter
Human dreams are still shattered
He laid red rose upon white casket
Was their love so very wrong?
The question I just had to ask it
His human heart still sang love’s song.

She’s lying there down in the grass
With dad beside here, years now past.
Well below the noise and bustle
And leaves that fall from trees that rustle…Soft
And sweetly she went about
Day by day and left no doubt.
As to whom she was and how she lived
With all her love but for to give.
To myself and others she met and cared
For everyone she taught to share. Everything
We have inside from laughter-smiles
To tear-filled eyes.
From the sunrise golden to the darkest nights
She could always see
An Eternal Light.
That shined upon her each step she took
And gave her strength and changed her looks.
More angelic as time rolled on
Until it ceased and she was gone.
Yet I still see her face and eyes
As clear as I see clear blue skies.
And will until I find her once more
Standing near that open door.
That will lead us to another story
Of Eternal Light and lasting glory.

The Rose innocent white, soft pink, yellows
colors touch your soul vibrant red to amethyst
enhances beauty yet a thorn awaits to break skin
as life does piercing your heart with a thin pin.
My life has shed drops of blood through each petal
as if in return for the love and beauty you feel
hence pain underneath patiently waits the bloodletting ~
The rose symbolizes love yet vulnerable to hold
for when you open your heart it can be left bleeding
The best of surgeons can not beat your heart
It is the inner faith and God himself whom gives strength
whispers in your ear you shall live you will exist
your life meaningful as the water and sun to the rose
For I am your God your existence is not over yet .
You must Live ~You must Bloom

A seed sprouted at the foot of the Cross, and was
watered by the Blood of Jesus.
Thorns had fallen from the brow of Christ and attached
themselves to the branches.
The petals opened to look upon the Son of Grace.
A red rose the color of His blood stained face.
The thorns had sharpened to a point to prick the feet
of Jesus, but, didn't prevail. Jesus had the nail.
A rose was born near a thorn, just like you and me.
Both will live eternally.
The rose will always bloom,
the thorn forever doomed.
The rose is a flower that one associates with love.
The beautiful delicate petals wrap around each
other as if to protect themselves from the thorns on
the branches.The rose have a meaning of their own.
On special occasions, to say," I love you so much,"
you will see the rose. They are the finishing touch.
Each petal sends out a fragrance that draws you near.
Thorns are just the opposite.
Flesh that gets in a thorn's path, feels thorn's wrath.
The rose, the thorn, so close, yet the petal is
protected, like our soul, a boundary has been set
from the one who paid our debt.
In the spiritual realm there is also the Rose and the thorn.
The Rose of Sharon, Jesus Christ, the living God, who
speaks, "I love you," to all the world.
The thorn, the destroyer, has hatred unfurled.
The rose will always be the universal flower of love.
Jesus Christ is Love sent from above.

Four letters put together to create one word,
with an impeccable definition.
Love...,
It is a strong word,
Close to the heart, yet
far from the woman you Love.
Butterflies flying, flapping their
orange and white wings in the summer heat.
The butterflies flap, flap their beautiful wings
together in the summertime of Love.
For Love is beautiful, like the summer preludes!
Four letters composed, to a Chopin's masterpiece.
The Romantic pole reaches out, to touch, to hold, to Love.
For these four letters are easy to read
and put together to create a complex concept
with a universal definition.
A four letter word, easy just to say,
but it is harder to show.
For Love is a simple word made up of simple letters,
but a complex meaing that takes most lifetimes to comprehend
and others a short while.
For I've seen hearts broken
and hearts put back together,
with this simple word.
My heart burned, brused, stabbed
knows the dangers of this simple, four letter word.
Love, some think it is a game
to play when you are bored.
Destroying self-esteem of girls,
who are already weak and nieve.
They long for love, but find surrealist dreams,
and see the Man of their dreams slip away in the night.
Gone without a trace.
While she is sucked into false promises,
from simple minded boys,
with only one thing on their mind.
Love..., it is a joke to some.
"I love you," is a laughing stock,
while a slap in the face, and disrespect is in fashion.
Girls, foolish girls walking in lonesome heartbreak,
saying they are in Love.
It is sad to see, and hard to hear, I know it is.
And to me Love is sometimes fair,
and most times a cruel joke.
Love, this four letter word is simple to say, but hard to comprehend.
Love me and I shall take you by the hand
show you caves of mystery,
and skies of grace and meadows, filled with flowers,
dedicated just for you, no one else, but you.
We can make Love on the sandy beaches, under the moonlit sky
under the still stars and shooting ones too.
Have a romantic dinner of oyster-shells and champange and kiss each other,
till we drown in intoxication and fall asleep in each others arms.
huh, Love... A simple, four letter word, that is easy to say,
but even harder to show.

What flower is this?
Slender, sleek and tall
Where no words are befitting
To describe it’s beauty at all.
A bouquet of various colours
But there’s none so it’s been said
That can be more brilliant
Than the radiance of the red.
And although there’s numerous others.
Attempting to be just like
Alone it reigns as Queen
As is it’s given right.
So imagine if you will
Where this blossom grows
Then capture the majestic beauty
Of the long stemmed rose.
Brenda Elizabeth Rose

Love cannot bloom,
love cannot go on,
love cannot persue it dreams,
love cannot be what it is meant to be,
love cannot be where it is supposed to be,
if love doesn't have two hearts.
Love needs two hearts to be true,
Like water to a dried rose
makes it bloom in spring weather
with such glory and beauty.
Love cannot be true if one heart
doesn't love the other.
Care, trust, honesty and loyalty
in love it has no boundaries,
it has no color, it has no age,
like a fine wine or an aged whiskey
it grows better with time.
But love cannot fullfill without the other half.
If a woman loves man,
let her love him,
if you love me,
than love me, but if my heart is gone
and cannot be found in such relation with you
then I must halt, till my heart comes around.
If it never does show with the first light of morning,
then it wasn't meant to be with thee.
Come now, do not shed a tear for me,
a simple heathin, who cries havoc
when something doesn't go his way.
Do not cry, do not shed your one of a kind tears
for a souless man, for a heartless man like I,
but do not blame me,
if my heart cannot be found.
Love needs two hearts,
not one or the other can survive
without each other.
Love is patient, love is kind,
but with ever lover comes another.
And we will all fall in great and deep love,
be intoxicated with each other,
and our sweet kisses that God himself would shed a tear
for such beauty that still exisits.
Love needs two hearts,
you cannot have one, without the other.

What shadows hide
your dreaming petals?
Ebony srtains, pure
blackness never seen.
You Pimpernel rose
will elusive
be your name.
Entwined with brothers white
so many hearts
to flutter.
A dream of Martin
Luther king
love seeps
in roots together.
An emblem for embrace.
The African star
will not suffice,
to buy your knotted gait.
But to see your wonder
afore I die,
I hope natures
not too late.

You live for empty pleasures
They fade through each new song,
I finally see the big picture
You were weak, not strong.
I was young looking for guidance
Impressionable and quite rare,
But wolves in sheep's clothing
Can't love, for their lives are barely there.
Weeds grow in anything
But rambling roses grow on vines,
Their thorns protect all that’s around
Guarding their gates from the intruding kind.
All you were was temporary
A stumbling block for the time,
But what’s a mountain in your way
After you decide to climb.
I was young looking for guidance,
Impressionable and quite rare,
But wolves in sheep's clothing
can't love, for their lives are barely there.
They can never destroy a rambling rose
For they are made strategically rare
They can never blossom or unfold
For their lives were never there.
By: Sabina Nicole
Written: 7-11-12